INS Nipun: A New Era for India's Diving Support Capabilities

The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Nipun, a state-of-the-art Diving Support Vessel designed to enhance deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations. With over 75% indigenous content, this vessel marks a significant milestone in India's maritime capabilities. Led by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the commissioning ceremony highlights the Navy's commitment to indigenous shipbuilding and specialized maritime missions. Captain L.S. Subramanian, the vessel's Commanding Officer, emphasized its unique role in underwater interventions and the importance of its advanced equipment for saturation diving. The induction of INS Nipun is expected to bolster the Navy's ability to respond to underwater emergencies and conduct complex diving missions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 31, 2026, 14:09 IST

Introduction to INS Nipun

File image of INS Nipun(Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, Aug 31: The Indian Navy is preparing to officially commission INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. This initiative aims to enhance the Navy's capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater interventions, and submarine rescue operations.

Significance of the Commissioning

The Navy has stated that the commissioning of this indigenous vessel represents a crucial step in bolstering India's maritime strength. The ceremony will be led by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the Chief of the Naval Staff.

A spokesperson for the Navy shared on X: “Nipun is set to be commissioned today, with Admiral Krishna Swaminathan presiding over the event. This commissioning signifies another important milestone in enhancing India’s maritime capabilities.”

Features and Capabilities of INS Nipun

Captain L.S. Subramanian, the Commanding Officer of INS Nipun, emphasized the vessel's high level of indigenous content and its specialized functions in deep-diving and submarine rescue missions. “This ship boasts over 75 percent indigenous content and is unique in the Navy, specifically designed for deep-diving operations and submarine rescue,” he stated.

He elaborated that the equipment onboard is tailored for specialized diving tasks and allows the ship to serve as a platform for submarine rescue systems. “The fittings are intended for saturation diving, and it will act as a mothership for submarine rescue systems,” he added.

Operational Role and Future Prospects

When discussing the vessel's operational capabilities, Captain Subramanian remarked, “In terms of weaponry, our divers are our primary asset along with our rescue systems. This ship is exceptional, focusing mainly on deep-diving operations.”

INS Nipun is the second DSV built by HSL for the Indian Navy, designed for specialized underwater tasks, including deep-sea diving and underwater interventions, while also providing a platform for deploying submarine rescue systems.

The addition of this vessel is anticipated to enhance the Navy's response to underwater emergencies and facilitate complex diving missions in deeper waters. Its saturation-diving capability will enable trained divers to conduct extended underwater operations with specialized support equipment.

This commissioning also highlights the Navy's commitment to indigenous shipbuilding and the development of specialized platforms for essential maritime missions. With over 75 percent indigenous content, INS Nipun showcases the increasing involvement of domestic industries in constructing advanced platforms for the Indian Navy.

The vessel's primary focus remains on underwater interventions, deep-diving operations, and submarine rescues, making its induction vital for improving the Navy's specialized maritime support capabilities.